U.S. patent application number 15/067570 was filed with the patent office on 2016-09-15 for gas supply system, hydrogen station including the same, accumulator life judgement method, and use method of gas supply system.
This patent application is currently assigned to Kabushiki Kaisha Kobe Seiko Sho (Kobe Steel, Ltd.). The applicant listed for this patent is Kabushiki Kaisha Kobe Seiko Sho (Kobe Steel, Ltd.). Invention is credited to Kenji NAGURA, TAKASHI OKUNO.
Application Number | 20160265720 15/067570 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 55701683 |
Filed Date | 2016-09-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160265720 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
OKUNO; TAKASHI ; et
al. |
September 15, 2016 |
GAS SUPPLY SYSTEM, HYDROGEN STATION INCLUDING THE SAME, ACCUMULATOR
LIFE JUDGEMENT METHOD, AND USE METHOD OF GAS SUPPLY SYSTEM
Abstract
The present invention is to properly manage life of an
accumulator and extend the life of the accumulator. A gas supply
system includes a control section, an acquiring section, a
classifying section, and a judging section. The acquiring section
acquires stress amplitude of accumulators from a pressure
difference between first pressure on the gas storage side and
second pressure on the gas lead-out side. The classifying section
classifies the stress amplitude into a plurality of groups. The
judging section divides the calculated acquirement number n.sub.i
of the stress amplitude for each of the groups by the predetermined
breaking cycle number N.sub.i, and determines a fatigue degree
.SIGMA.n.sub.i/N.sub.i. In a case where this value becomes a
predetermined threshold value or more, the judging section judges
that the accumulator comes to the end of the life.
Inventors: |
OKUNO; TAKASHI;
(Takasago-shi, JP) ; NAGURA; Kenji; (Takasago-shi,
JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Kabushiki Kaisha Kobe Seiko Sho (Kobe Steel, Ltd.) |
Hyogo |
|
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
Kabushiki Kaisha Kobe Seiko Sho
(Kobe Steel, Ltd.)
Hyogo
JP
|
Family ID: |
55701683 |
Appl. No.: |
15/067570 |
Filed: |
March 11, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F17C 2250/032 20130101;
F17C 13/12 20130101; F17C 2250/01 20130101; F17C 2250/0439
20130101; F17C 2260/015 20130101; F17C 2260/017 20130101; F17C
2205/0323 20130101; F17C 2221/012 20130101; F17C 2227/0397
20130101; Y02P 90/45 20151101; F17C 2227/0157 20130101; F17C
2270/0184 20130101; F17C 2225/033 20130101; F17C 2260/013 20130101;
F17C 2225/0123 20130101; F17C 2203/0604 20130101; F17C 2265/061
20130101; F17C 2265/065 20130101; F17C 2203/0663 20130101; F17C
2250/0434 20130101; F17C 2225/035 20130101; F17C 2250/043 20130101;
F17C 2227/0164 20130101; F17C 2227/041 20130101; F17C 2227/043
20130101; F17C 2265/063 20130101; F17C 2223/036 20130101; F17C
2250/0495 20130101; F17C 2250/0694 20130101; Y02E 60/32 20130101;
F17C 2227/0341 20130101; F17C 2250/0469 20130101; F17C 2203/0639
20130101; F17C 2270/0178 20130101; F17C 13/02 20130101; F17C
2205/0107 20130101; F17C 2223/0123 20130101; F17C 2225/036
20130101; F17C 5/06 20130101; F17C 2205/0146 20130101; F17C
2227/0337 20130101; F17C 2223/035 20130101; F17C 2203/0646
20130101; F17C 2205/0169 20130101; F17C 7/00 20130101; F17C
2223/033 20130101; F17C 2205/0335 20130101; F17C 2270/0139
20130101 |
International
Class: |
F17C 5/06 20060101
F17C005/06; F17C 13/02 20060101 F17C013/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 13, 2015 |
JP |
2015-050744 |
Claims
1. A gas supply system for supplying a gas to a filling facility
that fills a tank of a tank-equipped device with the gas, the gas
supply system comprising: an accumulator unit that stores the gas,
the accumulator unit having at least one accumulator; a gas
delivery section that delivers the gas to said accumulator unit; a
first valve member that opens and closes a lead-in flow passage
providing communication between said accumulator unit and said gas
delivery section; a second valve member that opens and closes a
lead-out flow passage providing communication between said
accumulator unit and the filling facility; an acquiring section
that repeatedly acquires stress amplitude between stress acting on
the accumulator in a state where said first valve member is closed
and said second valve member is opened and stress acting on the
accumulator in a state where said first valve member is opened and
said second valve member is closed; a classifying section that
classifies the stress amplitude into a plurality of groups; and a
judging section that judges life of the accumulator based on a
fatigue degree obtained by obtaining values from the acquirement
number of the stress amplitude for each of the groups and the
breaking cycle number corresponding to the stress amplitude
representing the group, and adding the values up for each of the
groups.
2. The gas supply system according to claim 1, wherein said
accumulator unit includes a first accumulator, and a second
accumulator, said judging section determines remaining life of the
first accumulator and remaining life of the second accumulator from
the fatigue life, and one of the first accumulator and the second
accumulator having the longer remaining life is used in a case
where pressure of the tank is within a low pressure region serving
as a range of predetermined low pressure, and the accumulator
having the shorter remaining life is used in a case where the
pressure of the tank is within a high pressure region serving as a
range of predetermined high pressure, the high pressure region
being narrower than the low pressure region.
3. The gas supply system according to claim 1, wherein at least two
accumulators are used in at least one of the low pressure region
and the high pressure region whose pressure is higher than the low
pressure region, and the gas supply system further comprises a
switching section that switches the accumulator to be used based on
temperatures of the accumulators in such a manner that the
accumulator having a lower temperature among the at least two
accumulators is used.
4. The gas supply system according to claim 1, wherein said
accumulator unit includes a first accumulator to be used in a case
where pressure of the tank is within a low pressure region serving
as a range of predetermined low pressure, and a second accumulator
to be used in a case where the pressure of the tank is within a
high pressure region serving as a range of predetermined high
pressure, the high pressure region being narrower than the low
pressure region, said first accumulator is a steel container, and
said second accumulator is a composite container made of a
composite material which is different from an iron and steel
material.
5. The gas supply system according to claim 4, wherein said second
accumulator is arranged on the upper side of said first
accumulator.
6. The gas supply system according to claim 4, further comprising:
a first frame surrounding said first accumulator; and a second
frame surrounding said second accumulator, wherein said second
frame is separably laminated on the upper side of said first
frame.
7. The gas supply system according to claim 4, wherein said
accumulator unit further includes a third accumulator to be used in
a case where the pressure of the tank is within a middle pressure
region serving as a range of pressure between the low pressure
region and the high pressure region.
8. The gas supply system according to claim 1, wherein other
accumulator unit is connected to said accumulator unit.
9. A gas supply system for supplying a gas to a filling facility
that fills a tank of a tank-equipped device with the gas, the gas
supply system comprising: an accumulator unit that stores the gas;
and a gas delivery section that delivers the gas to the accumulator
unit, wherein said accumulator unit includes a first accumulator to
be used in a case where pressure of the tank is within a low
pressure region serving as a range of predetermined low pressure,
and a second accumulator to be used in a case where the pressure of
the tank is within a high pressure region serving as a range of
predetermined high pressure, the high pressure region being
narrower than the low pressure region, said first accumulator is a
steel container, and said second accumulator is a composite
container made of a composite material which is different from an
iron and steel material.
10. A hydrogen station comprising: a filling facility; and the gas
supply system according to claim 1 for supplying a hydrogen gas to
said filling facility, wherein said filling facility fills a
vehicle serving as a tank-equipped device with the hydrogen
gas.
11. An accumulator life judgment method in a gas supply system for
supplying a gas to a filling facility that fills a tank of a
tank-equipped device with the gas, the gas supply system including
a gas delivery section, an accumulator unit that stores the gas
discharged from the gas delivery section, the accumulator unit
having at least one accumulator, a first valve member that opens
and closes a lead-in flow passage providing communication between
the accumulator unit and the gas delivery section, and a second
valve member that opens and closes a lead-out flow passage
providing communication between the accumulator unit and the
filling facility, the accumulator life judgment method comprising:
a step of repeatedly acquiring stress amplitude between stress
acting on the accumulator in a state where the first valve member
is closed and the second valve member is opened and stress acting
on the accumulator in a state where the first valve member is
opened and the second valve member is closed; a step of classifying
the stress amplitude into a plurality of groups; and a step of
judging life of the accumulator based on a fatigue degree obtained
by obtaining values from the acquirement number of the stress
amplitude for each of the groups and the breaking cycle number
corresponding to the stress amplitude representing the group, and
adding the values up for each of the groups.
12. The accumulator life judgment method according to claim 11,
wherein in said step of judging the life of the accumulator, it is
judged that the accumulator comes to the end of the life in a case
where the fatigue degree becomes a predetermined threshold value or
more.
13. A use method of the gas supply system according to claim 1,
wherein the accumulator unit includes a first accumulator, and a
second accumulator, the judging section determines remaining life
of the first accumulator and remaining life of the second
accumulator from the fatigue life, and one of the first accumulator
and the second accumulator having the longer remaining life is used
in a case where pressure of the tank is within a low pressure
region serving as a range of predetermined low pressure, and the
accumulator having the shorter remaining life is used in a case
where the pressure of the tank is within a high pressure region
serving as a range of predetermined high pressure, the high
pressure region being narrower than the low pressure region.
14. A use method of the gas supply system according to claim 1,
wherein at least two accumulators are used in at least one of the
low pressure region and the high pressure region whose pressure is
higher than the low pressure region, and the accumulator to be used
is switched based on temperatures of the accumulators in such a
manner that the accumulator having a lower temperature among the at
least two accumulators is used.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a gas supply system, a
hydrogen station, an accumulator life judgment method, and a use
method of the gas supply system.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] In recent years, a hydrogen station for filling a vehicle
such as a fuel cell vehicle with hydrogen is developed. As
described in JP2011-132876 A, a hydrogen station includes an
accumulator unit including an accumulator that stores a hydrogen
gas in a compressed state, a hydrogen compression device
communicating with the accumulator, the hydrogen compression device
that pressure-feeds the hydrogen gas to the accumulator, and a
dispenser communicating with the accumulator, the dispenser that
supplies the hydrogen gas stored in the accumulator to a fuel cell
vehicle.
[0005] A method of judging fatigue life of the accumulator utilized
in the hydrogen station is recently being studied. As one example
of the method, it is thought to judge that the accumulator comes to
the end of the fatigue life in a case where the number of a
pressure change acting on the accumulator (the measurement number
of stress amplitude) reaches the breaking cycle number.
[0006] However, with the above method, the measurement number of
the stress amplitude is counted up for every time when the stress
amplitude is generated irrespective of the magnitude of the stress
amplitude. Thus, according to circumstances where the accumulator
is operated, even when a state where the pressure change is small
is continued, the acquirement number by which the stress amplitude
is acquired is counted up. Therefore, there is a possibility that
the accumulator is replaced before the accumulator actually comes
to the end of the fatigue life. As a result, replacement frequency
of the accumulator is not easily reduced. Thereby, management cost
of the hydrogen station is not easily reduced.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention is achieved in consideration with the
above problem, and a major object thereof is to properly manage
life of an accumulator, and another object thereof is to extend the
life of the accumulator.
[0008] A gas supply system according to a first aspect of the
present invention is a gas supply system for supplying a gas to a
filling facility that fills a tank of a tank-equipped device with
the gas, the gas supply system including an accumulator unit that
stores the gas, the accumulator unit having at least one
accumulator, a gas delivery section that delivers the gas to the
accumulator unit, a first valve member that opens and closes a
lead-in flow passage providing communication between the
accumulator unit and the gas delivery section, a second valve
member that opens and closes a lead-out flow passage providing
communication between the accumulator unit and the filling
facility, an acquiring section that repeatedly acquires stress
amplitude between stress acting on the accumulator in a state where
the first valve member is closed and the second valve member is
opened and stress acting on the accumulator in a state where the
first valve member is opened and the second valve member is closed,
a classifying section that classifies the stress amplitude into a
plurality of groups, and a judging section that judges life of the
accumulator based on a fatigue degree obtained by obtaining values
from the acquirement number of the stress amplitude for each of the
groups and the breaking cycle number corresponding to the stress
amplitude representing the group, and adding the values up for each
of the groups.
[0009] In the gas supply system of the present invention, focusing
on the magnitude of the stress amplitude of the stress acting on
the accumulator, the acquirement number of the stress amplitude is
determined for each magnitude of the stress amplitude and used for
judging the life of the accumulator. That is, the stress amplitude
of the stress acting on the accumulator at the time of storing the
gas in the accumulator and at the time of supplying the gas to the
filling facility is classified into the plurality of groups by the
magnitude thereof by the classifying section, and the judging
section judges the life of the accumulator based on the fatigue
degree obtained by obtaining the values from the acquirement number
of the stress amplitude for each of the groups and the breaking
cycle number corresponding to the stress amplitude representing the
group, and adding the values up for each of the groups. Thereby,
while respectively individually considering fatigue life due to
large stress amplitude of the stress acting on the accumulator and
fatigue life due to small stress amplitude, the life of the
accumulator can be more properly managed, so that replacement
frequency of the accumulator can be reduced. As a result,
management cost of a hydrogen station can be reduced.
[0010] Preferably, the accumulator unit includes a first
accumulator, and a second accumulator, the judging section
determines remaining life of the first accumulator and remaining
life of the second accumulator from the fatigue life, and one of
the first accumulator and the second accumulator having the longer
remaining life is used in a case where pressure of the tank is
within a low pressure region serving as a range of predetermined
low pressure, and the accumulator having the shorter remaining life
is used in a case where the pressure of the tank is within a high
pressure region serving as a range of predetermined high pressure,
the high pressure region being narrower than the low pressure
region.
[0011] In a case where the pressure of the tank of the
tank-equipped device is within the low pressure region, a large
amount of the gas is delivered from the accumulator to the filling
facility. Thus, the stress amplitude acting on the accumulator is
increased and the accumulator is prone to fatigue. Therefore, as
described above, one of the first accumulator and the second
accumulator having the longer remaining life becomes the
accumulator to be used in the low pressure region. Meanwhile, in a
case where the pressure of the tank is within the high pressure
region, a delivery amount of the gas from the accumulator to the
filling facility is relatively reduced. Thus, the stress amplitude
acting on the accumulator is decreased, and the accumulator having
the shorter remaining life becomes the accumulator to be used in
the high pressure region. As a result, the life of the accumulators
can be leveled. A time duration required for next replacement of
the accumulator can be extended, so that the management cost of the
hydrogen station can be more reduced.
[0012] Preferably, at least two accumulators are used in at least
one of the low pressure region and the high pressure region whose
pressure is higher than the low pressure region, and the gas supply
system further includes a switching section that switches the
accumulator to be used based on temperatures of the accumulators in
such a manner that the accumulator having a lower temperature among
the at least two accumulators is used.
[0013] There is a possibility that when a cycle of storing
in/delivering to the accumulator becomes frequent, hydrogen whose
temperature becomes high at the time of a storing step is delivered
from the gas supply system to the filling facility such as a
dispenser without being sufficiently cooled. Therefore, when the
accumulator having the lower temperature among the at least two
accumulators used in the same pressure region of one of the low
pressure region and the high pressure region is used as described
above, an increase in the temperature of the gas delivered from the
accumulator unit can be suppressed. Thereby, a gas cooling load in
a case where the gas is pre-cooled before leading the gas into the
filling facility can be reduced. It is particularly effective in
the hydrogen station where the gas is stored in the accumulator and
supplied to the filling facility highly frequently.
[0014] Preferably, the accumulator unit includes a first
accumulator to be used in a case where pressure of the tank is
within a low pressure region serving as a range of predetermined
low pressure, and a second accumulator to be used in a case where
the pressure of the tank is within a high pressure region serving
as a range of predetermined high pressure, the high pressure region
being narrower than the low pressure region, the first accumulator
is a steel container, and the second accumulator is a composite
container made of a composite material which is different from an
iron and steel material.
[0015] In a case where the pressure of the tank in the
tank-equipped device is within the low pressure region, a large
amount of the gas is delivered from the accumulator to the filling
facility. Thus, the stress amplitude acting on the accumulator is
increased and the fatigue life of the accumulator is easily
shortened. Meanwhile, in a case where the pressure of the tank is
within the high pressure region, the delivery amount of the gas
from the accumulator to the filling facility is relatively reduced.
Thus, the stress amplitude acting on the accumulator is decreased,
and the fatigue life of accumulator is not easily shortened.
Therefore, by using the steel container having high durability as
the first accumulator to be used in the low pressure region, the
life of the first accumulator can be extended. By using the
composite container cheaper than the steel container as the second
accumulator to be used in the high pressure region, an increase in
cost of the accumulator unit can be suppressed. By using the steel
container and the composite container together, the life of the
first and second accumulators can be leveled, so that the
replacement frequency of the accumulator can be reduced.
[0016] Preferably, the second accumulator is arranged on the upper
side of the first accumulator.
[0017] With such a configuration, by arranging the second
accumulator which is the composite container having relatively
shorter life than the steel container on the upper side of the
first accumulator, even in a case where there is a need for
replacing the second accumulator, an operator can easily access the
second accumulator and perform a replacement operation.
[0018] Preferably, a first frame surrounding the first accumulator,
and a second frame surrounding the second accumulator are further
provided, and the second frame is separably laminated on the upper
side of the first frame.
[0019] With such a configuration, the second frame surrounding the
second accumulator is separably laminated on the first frame
surrounding the first accumulator. Thus, the second accumulator can
be easily removed in a state where the second accumulator is
surrounded by the second frame. In addition, the second accumulator
can be removed from the upper side of the first accumulator by
using a crane or the like. Thus, for example in comparison to a
case where the second accumulator is removed by sliding in the
horizontal direction, an operation space can be decreased.
[0020] Preferably, the accumulator unit further includes a third
accumulator to be used in a case where the pressure of the tank is
within a middle pressure region serving as a range of pressure
between the low pressure region and the high pressure region.
[0021] With such a configuration, by using the three accumulators
to be used in the three different pressure regions, the gas can be
promptly supplied.
[0022] Preferably, other accumulator unit is connected to the
accumulator unit.
[0023] With such a configuration, in comparison to a case where a
large-sized accumulator is prepared, an amount of the gas to be
stored in accordance with a demand amount of the gas can be easily
adjusted.
[0024] A gas supply system according to a second aspect of the
present invention is a gas supply system for supplying a gas to a
filling facility that fills a tank of a tank-equipped device with
the gas, the gas supply system including an accumulator unit that
stores the gas, and a gas delivery section that delivers the gas to
the accumulator unit, wherein the accumulator unit includes a first
accumulator to be used in a case where pressure of the tank is
within a low pressure region serving as a range of predetermined
low pressure, and a second accumulator to be used in a case where
the pressure of the tank is within a high pressure region serving
as a range of predetermined high pressure, the high pressure region
being narrower than the low pressure region, the first accumulator
is a steel container, and the second accumulator is a composite
container made of a composite material which is different from an
iron and steel material.
[0025] In a case where the pressure of the tank in the
tank-equipped device is within the low pressure region, a large
amount of the gas is delivered from the accumulator to the filling
facility. Thus, the stress amplitude acting on the accumulator is
increased and the fatigue life of the accumulator is easily
shortened. Meanwhile, in a case where the pressure of the tank is
within the high pressure region, the delivery amount of the gas
from the accumulator to the filling facility is relatively reduced.
Thus, the stress amplitude acting on the accumulator is decreased,
and the fatigue life of accumulator is not easily shortened.
Therefore, by using the steel container not prone to fatigue upon a
pressure change as the first accumulator to be used in the low
pressure region, the life of the first accumulator can be extended.
By using the composite container cheaper than the steel container
as the second accumulator to be used in the high pressure region,
the increase in the cost of the accumulator unit can be suppressed.
By using the steel container and the composite container together,
the life of the first and second accumulators can be leveled, so
that the replacement frequency of the accumulator can be
reduced.
[0026] A hydrogen station according to a third aspect of the
present invention includes a filling facility, and the above gas
supply system for supplying a hydrogen gas to the filling facility,
wherein the filling facility fills a vehicle serving as a
tank-equipped device with the hydrogen gas.
[0027] With such a configuration, the hydrogen gas is preliminarily
stored in the accumulator of the accumulator unit and delivered to
the vehicle such as a fuel cell vehicle according to need, so that
the hydrogen gas can be promptly supplied.
[0028] An accumulator life judgment method according to a fourth
aspect of the present invention is an accumulator life judgment
method in a gas supply system for supplying a gas to a filling
facility that fills a tank of a tank-equipped device with the gas,
the gas supply system including a gas delivery section, an
accumulator unit that stores the gas discharged from the gas
delivery section, the accumulator unit having at least one
accumulator, a first valve member that opens and closes a lead-in
flow passage providing communication between the accumulator unit
and the gas delivery section, and a second valve member that opens
and closes a lead-out flow passage providing communication between
the accumulator unit and the filling facility, the accumulator life
judgment method including a step of repeatedly acquiring stress
amplitude between stress acting on the accumulator in a state where
the first valve member is closed and the second valve member is
opened and stress acting on the accumulator in a state where the
first valve member is opened and the second valve member is closed,
a step of classifying the stress amplitude into a plurality of
groups, and a step of judging life of the accumulator based on a
fatigue degree obtained by obtaining values from the acquirement
number of the stress amplitude for each of the groups and the
breaking cycle number corresponding to the stress amplitude
representing the group, and adding the values up for each of the
groups.
[0029] In the accumulator life judgment method, focusing on the
magnitude of the stress amplitude of the stress acting on the
accumulator, the acquirement number of the stress amplitude is
determined for each magnitude of the stress amplitude and used for
judging the life of the accumulator. That is, the stress amplitude
of the stress acting on the accumulator at the time of storing the
gas in the accumulator and at the time of supplying the gas to the
filling facility is classified into the plurality of groups by the
magnitude thereof, and the life of the accumulator is judged based
on the fatigue degree obtained by obtaining the values from the
acquirement number of the stress amplitude for each of the groups
and the breaking cycle number corresponding to the stress amplitude
representing the group, and adding the values up for each of the
groups. Thereby, while respectively individually considering
fatigue life due to large stress amplitude of the stress acting on
the accumulator and fatigue life due to small stress amplitude, the
life of the accumulator can be more properly managed, so that the
replacement frequency of the accumulator can be reduced. As a
result, the management cost of the hydrogen station can be
reduced.
[0030] Preferably, in the step of judging the life of the
accumulator, it is judged that the accumulator comes to the end of
the life in a case where the fatigue degree becomes a predetermined
threshold value or more.
[0031] In this life judgment method, it is judged that the
accumulator comes to the end of the life in a case where the
fatigue degree becomes the predetermined threshold value or more.
Thereby, when the threshold value is appropriately set in
consideration with an environment where the accumulator is used or
the like, the life of the accumulator can be furthermore properly
managed, so that the replacement frequency of the accumulator can
be more reduced.
[0032] A use method of a gas supply system according to a fifth
aspect of the present invention is a use method of the gas supply
system according to the first aspect, wherein the accumulator unit
includes a first accumulator, and a second accumulator, the judging
section determines remaining life of the first accumulator and
remaining life of the second accumulator from the fatigue life, and
one of the first accumulator and the second accumulator having the
longer remaining life is used in a case where pressure of the tank
is within a low pressure region serving as a range of predetermined
low pressure, and the accumulator having the shorter remaining life
is used in a case where the pressure of the tank is within a high
pressure region serving as a range of predetermined high pressure,
the high pressure region being narrower than the low pressure
region.
[0033] In this use method, one of the first accumulator and the
second accumulator having the longer remaining life becomes the
accumulator to be used in the low pressure region. Meanwhile, in a
case where the pressure of the tank is within the high pressure
region, the delivery amount of the gas from the accumulator to the
filling facility is relatively reduced. Thus, the stress amplitude
acting on the accumulator is decreased, and the accumulator having
the shorter remaining life becomes the accumulator to be used in
the high pressure region. As a result, the life of the accumulators
can be leveled. The time duration required for next replacement of
the accumulator can be extended, so that the management cost of the
hydrogen station can be more reduced.
[0034] A use method of a gas supply system according to a sixth
aspect of the present invention is a use method of the gas supply
system according to the first aspect, wherein at least two
accumulators are used in at least one of the low pressure region
and the high pressure region whose pressure is higher than the low
pressure region, and the accumulator to be used is switched based
on temperatures of the accumulators in such a manner that the
accumulator having a lower temperature among the at least two
accumulators is used.
[0035] In this use method, when the accumulator having the lower
temperature among the at least two accumulators used in the same
pressure region of one of the low pressure region and the high
pressure region is used, the increase in the temperature of the gas
delivered from the accumulator unit can be suppressed. Thereby, the
gas cooling load in a case where the gas is pre-cooled before
leading the gas into the filling facility can be reduced. It is
particularly effective in the hydrogen station where the gas is
stored in the accumulator and supplied to the filling facility
highly frequently.
[0036] According to the gas supply system and the accumulator life
judgment method of the present invention, the life of the
accumulator can be properly managed. As a result, the life of the
accumulator can be extended.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0037] FIG. 1 is a view showing a hydrogen station having a gas
supply system according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0038] FIG. 2 is an illustrative view showing arrangement of
accumulators in an accumulator unit of FIG. 1.
[0039] FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the accumulator of
FIG. 2.
[0040] FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the accumulator.
[0041] FIG. 5 is a graph of stress amplitude of stress acting on
the accumulator.
[0042] FIG. 6 is a flowchart of an accumulator life judgment method
according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[0043] FIG. 7 is a view showing an example in which two low
pressure side accumulators are switched and used in a gas supply
system according to a modified example of the present
invention.
[0044] FIG. 8 is a view showing an example in which a gas flow
passage has a shunt in a gas supply system according to another
modified example of the present invention.
[0045] FIG. 9 is a view showing an example in which a middle
pressure side accumulator and a high pressure side accumulator are
arranged side by side on the upper side of a low pressure side
accumulator in a gas supply system according to still another
modified example of the present invention.
[0046] FIG. 10 is a view showing an example in which a plurality of
accumulators is provided in a gas supply system according to yet
another modified example of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0047] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be
described in further detail with reference to the drawings.
[0048] FIG. 1 is a view showing a hydrogen station 1 according to
the embodiment of the present invention. The hydrogen station 1
includes a gas supply system 2, and a dispenser 3 serving as a
filling facility. The gas supply system 2 is a system for supplying
a hydrogen gas to the dispenser 3. The dispenser 3 is a filling
facility that fills a tank C of a vehicle B serving as a
tank-equipped device with the hydrogen gas. The vehicle B is for
example a fuel cell vehicle. In this hydrogen station 1, the
hydrogen gas is preliminarily stored in accumulators 61 to 63 of an
accumulator unit 6 to be described later in the gas supply system 2
and delivered to the vehicle B via the dispenser 3 according to
need, so that the hydrogen gas can be promptly supplied.
[0049] The gas supply system 2 includes the accumulator unit 6, a
compressor unit 5 serving as a gas delivery section that delivers
the hydrogen gas to the accumulator unit 6, a gas flow passage 7, a
valve unit 8, pressure detection sections 9, a control section 10,
and a pre-cool system 11.
[0050] The compressor unit 5 and the dispenser 3 communicate with
each other via the gas flow passage 7. The accumulator unit 6 and
the valve unit 8 are arranged in an intermediate part of the gas
flow passage 7. In the gas flow passage 7, the hydrogen gas flows
toward the dispenser 3. The pre-cool system 11 cools the hydrogen
gas immediately before filling the tank C of the vehicle B from the
dispenser 3. The pre-cool system 11 includes for example a heat
exchanger, and by exchanging heat between the hydrogen gas and a
coolant (such as brine), cools the hydrogen gas immediately before
filling the tank C of the vehicle B from the dispenser 3.
[0051] The compressor unit 5 is formed from for example a
reciprocating compressor or the like, and includes a drive section
51 and a compression section 52. The compression section 52 has a
piston and a cylinder. The piston is driven by power of the drive
section 51, and the hydrogen gas sent from a gas lead-in passage 13
is compressed in the cylinder. The compressed hydrogen gas is
delivered to the accumulator unit 6 via the gas flow passage 7.
[0052] The accumulator unit 6 shown in FIG. 1 includes three
accumulators (the first accumulator 61, the second accumulator 62,
and the third accumulator 63). In the accumulators 61 to 63, the
hydrogen gas discharged from the compressor unit 5 is stored.
[0053] Regarding these three accumulator units 61 to 63, the
accumulator to be used is different depending on the magnitude of
pressure of the hydrogen gas filling the tank C in such a manner
that the tank C of the fuel cell vehicle B can be rapidly filled
with the hydrogen gas in accordance with a predetermined filling
protocol.
[0054] That is, the first accumulator 61 is used in a case where
the pressure of the tank C (that is, the pressure of the hydrogen
gas filling the tank C) is within a low pressure region serving as
a range of predetermined low pressure. Hereinafter, the first
accumulator 61 will be called as the "low pressure side accumulator
61".
[0055] The second accumulator 62 is used in a case where the
pressure of the tank C is within a high pressure region serving as
a range of predetermined high pressure, the high pressure region
being narrower than the low pressure region. Hereinafter, the
second accumulator 62 will be called as the "high pressure side
accumulator 62".
[0056] The third accumulator 63 is used in a case where the
pressure of the tank is within a middle pressure region serving as
a range of pressure between the low pressure region and the high
pressure region. Hereinafter, the third accumulator 63 will be
called as the "middle pressure side accumulator 63".
[0057] For example, the low pressure side accumulator 61 is used in
a case where the pressure of the tank C is within a pressure range
from 0 to 50 MPa, the middle pressure side accumulator 63 is used
in a case where the pressure of the tank C is within a pressure
range from 50 to 60 MPa, and the high pressure side accumulator 62
is used in a case where the pressure of the tank C is within a
pressure range from 60 to 70 MPa. However, these pressure ranges
are appropriately set in consideration with use conditions or the
like.
[0058] Each of the accumulators 61 to 63 is formed from for example
an enclosed cylindrical container whose ends are both closed, the
container having high pressure resistance (refer to FIG. 3).
[0059] In order to rapidly fill the tank C of the vehicle B with
the hydrogen gas in accordance with the filling protocol, the
plurality of accumulators is preferably utilized as in the present
embodiment. However, as these accumulators, a composite container
cheaper than a steel container containing an iron and steel
material (such as a container made of plural materials like carbon
fiber and aluminum) is thought to be utilized. Nevertheless, in a
case where the pressure of the tank C in the vehicle B is within
the low pressure region, a large amount of the hydrogen gas is
supplied from the low pressure side accumulator 61 to the dispenser
3. Thus, stress amplitude acting on the low pressure side
accumulator 61 is increased and fatigue life of the low pressure
side accumulator 61 is easily shortened. Meanwhile, in a case where
the pressure of the tank C is within the high pressure region, a
supply amount of the hydrogen gas from the high pressure side
accumulator 62 to the dispenser 3 is relatively reduced. Thus,
stress amplitude acting on the high pressure side accumulator 62 is
decreased, and fatigue life of the high pressure side accumulator
62 is not easily shortened.
[0060] Thus, in the present embodiment, as the low pressure side
accumulator 61 (first accumulator) to be used in the low pressure
region, the steel container made of the iron and steel material not
prone to fatigue upon a pressure change is used. As the high
pressure side accumulator 62 (second accumulator) to be used in the
high pressure region whose pressure is higher than the low pressure
region, the relatively cheap composite container is used. In the
present embodiment, as the middle pressure side accumulator 63
(third accumulator) to be used in a case where the pressure of the
tank C is within the middle pressure region serving as the range of
the pressure between the low pressure region and the high pressure
region, the relatively cheap composite container is also used.
However, the present invention is not limited to this but the steel
container may be used as the middle pressure side accumulator
63.
[0061] The composite container is a container containing a
composite material serving as plural materials which are different
from the iron and steel material. For example, the composite
container is a cheap pressure-resistant container made of plural
materials like carbon fiber and aluminum as described above.
Specifically, the composite container is formed by winding carbon
fiber on an outer peripheral surface of an aluminum liner (that is,
a container main body part made of aluminum).
[0062] As shown in FIG. 2, the low pressure side accumulator 61,
the middle pressure side accumulator 63, and the high pressure side
accumulator 62 are arranged in a state where the accumulator whose
pressure region to be used is lower is laminated on the lower side
while being respectively surrounded by the frames 65 to 67.
Therefore, the middle pressure side accumulator 63 and the high
pressure side accumulator 62 formed from the composite container
are arranged so as to be placed on the upper side of the low
pressure side accumulator 61 formed from the steel container.
[0063] These frames 65 to 67 are hollow frame bodies having
rectangular sections in which the accumulators 61 to 63 can be
housed, for example manufactured by combining pillar shape steel
materials. Hereinafter, the frame surrounding the low pressure side
accumulator 61 (first accumulator) will be called as the "low
pressure side frame 65" (first frame), the frame surrounding the
middle pressure side accumulator 63 (third accumulator) will be
called as the "middle pressure side frame 67" (third frame), and
the frame surrounding the high pressure side accumulator 62 (second
accumulator) will be called as the "high pressure side frame 66"
(second frame).
[0064] The middle pressure side frame 67 and the high pressure side
frame 66 are laminated on the low pressure side frame 65 separably
upward from the low pressure side frame 65. The high pressure side
frame 66 is laminated on the middle pressure side frame 67
separably upward from the middle pressure side frame 67. The low
pressure side frame 65 and the middle pressure side frame 67 are
coupled and the middle pressure side frame 67 and the high pressure
side frame 66 are coupled respectively by using fastening members
such as bolts and nuts.
[0065] It should be noted that a heat sink 14 may be attached to
each of the above accumulators 61 to 63 for heat emission as shown
in FIG. 3. The heat sink 14 has for example a configuration that a
plurality of metal plates having high thermal conductivity is
arranged in a radial manner on an outer peripheral surface of each
of the accumulators 61 to 63. However, with a heat emission
property, other modes may be applied.
[0066] The gas flow passage 7 has a lead-in flow passage 71
providing communication between the accumulators 61 to 63 and the
compressor unit 5, and a lead-out flow passage 72 providing
communication between the accumulators 61 to 63 and the dispenser
3. Each of the lead-in flow passage 71 and the lead-out flow
passage 72 is branched into three in the vicinity of the
accumulators 61 to 63, and connected to the accumulators 61 to 63.
In the present embodiment, each of the accumulators 61 to 63 has
one connection port, and the lead-in flow passage 71 and the
lead-out flow passage 72 are connected to the connection port.
Thus, the lead-in flow passage 71 and the lead-out flow passage 72
are merged in the vicinity of the accumulators 61 to 63. However,
the present invention is not limited to this. As another example,
for example, the lead-in flow passage 71 and the lead-out flow
passage 72 may be respectively connected to two connection ports
separately provided in each of the accumulators 61 to 63.
[0067] The valve unit 8 includes a plurality of first valve members
81 and a plurality of second valve members 82 in order to
individually open and close the lead-in side and lead-out side flow
passages for each of the accumulators 61 to 63. Specifically, the
first valve members 81 are respectively arranged in branched parts
connected to the accumulators 61 to 63 in the lead-in flow passage
71 so as to open and close the lead-in flow passage 71 providing
communication between the accumulators 61 to 63 and the compressor
unit 5. The second valve members 82 are respectively arranged in
branched parts connected to the accumulators 61 to 63 in the
lead-out flow passage 72 so as to open and close the lead-out flow
passage 72 providing communication between the accumulators 61 to
63 and the dispenser 3.
[0068] On the upstream side of the first valve members 81 in the
lead-in flow passage 71 (on the right side of the first valve
members 81 in FIG. 1), check valves 12 that hinder a reverse flow
of the hydrogen gas are provided. Thereby, while allowing lead-in
of the hydrogen gas from the lead-in flow passage 71 to the
accumulators 61 to 63, a flow reverse to the lead-in can be
regulated. On the downstream side of the second valve members 82 in
the lead-out flow passage 72 (on the right side of the second valve
members 82 in FIG. 1), check valves 12 are also provided. Thus,
while allowing lead-out of the hydrogen gas from the accumulators
61 to 63 to the lead-out flow passage 72, a flow reverse to the
lead-out can be regulated.
[0069] The pressure detection sections 9 are pressure sensors
attached to hydrogen gas flow passage parts connected to the
accumulators 61 to 63. Internal pressure of the accumulators 61 to
63 is detected by the pressure detection sections 9. It should be
noted that strain gauges may be attached to the outer peripheral
surfaces of the accumulators 61 to 63 as the pressure detection
sections. In this case, by using the magnitude of strain on the
outer peripheral surfaces of the accumulators 61 to 63 measured by
the strain gauges, the stress amplitude of the accumulators 61 to
63 can be determined.
[0070] The control section 10 controls the compressor unit 5, the
valve unit 8, and the pre-cool system 11. The control section 10
includes an acquiring section 10a that repeatedly acquires the
stress amplitude regarding the stress acting on the accumulators 61
to 63 at the time of storing the hydrogen gas and at the time of
supplying the hydrogen gas to the dispenser 3 in order to judge the
life of the accumulators 61 to 63 based on the number of a change
in the stress acting on the accumulators 61 to 63, a classifying
section 10b that classifies the stress amplitude, and a judging
section 10c that judges the life of the accumulators 61 to 63.
[0071] The acquiring section 10a repeatedly acquires the stress
amplitude between the stress acting on the accumulators 61 to 63 at
the time of supplying the hydrogen gas from the accumulators 61 to
63 to the dispenser 3 and the stress acting on the accumulators 61
to 63 at the time of storing the hydrogen gas in the accumulators
61 to 63.
[0072] Specifically, the acquiring section 10a acquires the stress
amplitude of the accumulators 61 to 63 in each case in a period
from the time when storage of the hydrogen gas is completed (that
is, when the first valve members 81 are shifted from an opened
state to a closed state with the second valve members 82 in a
closed state) to the time when supply of the next hydrogen gas to
the dispenser 3 is completed (that is, the second valve members 82
are shifted from an opened state to a closed state with the first
valve members 81 in a closed state). It should be noted that the
acquiring section 10a may acquire the stress amplitude in each case
in a period from the time when the supply of the hydrogen gas is
completed to the time when the storage of the hydrogen gas is
completed.
[0073] The classifying section 10b classifies the acquired stress
amplitude into a plurality of groups by the magnitude of the stress
amplitude.
[0074] The judging section 10c judges the life of the accumulators
61 to 63 based on a fatigue degree obtained by respectively
calculating the acquirement number which is the acquirement number
of the stress amplitude for each of the groups, obtaining values
from the acquirement number for each of the groups and the breaking
cycle number corresponding to the stress amplitude representing the
group, and adding the values up for each of the groups.
[0075] The control section 10 formed as above judges the life of
the accumulators 61 to 63 in the following procedure. Firstly, the
acquiring section 10a repeatedly acquires the stress amplitude in a
predetermined period.
[0076] Specifically, stress amplitude .DELTA..sigma..sub.i of each
of the accumulators 61 to 63 is determined from a pressure change
.DELTA.P as follows.
[0077] Firstly, as shown in FIG. 4, in a case where internal
pressure in each of the accumulators 61 to 63 formed from a
cylindrical container is P, the pressure change .DELTA.P is
determined as in the following expression 1:
.DELTA.P=Pmax-Pmin (Expression 1)
[0078] wherein
[0079] Pmax denotes pressure inside each of the accumulators 61 to
63 at a time point when storage from the compressor unit 5 to each
of the accumulators 61 to 63 is completed (that is, internal
pressure when the first valve member 81 is shifted from an opened
state to a closed state with the second valve member 82 in a closed
state), and
[0080] Pmin denotes pressure inside each of the accumulators 61 to
63 at a time point when supply from each of the accumulators 61 to
63 to the dispenser 3 is completed (that is, internal pressure the
second valve member 82 is shifted from an opened state to a closed
state with the first valve member 81 in a closed state).
[0081] Meanwhile, in a case where an inner diameter of each of the
accumulators 61 to 63 is d and an outer diameter is D, maximum
stress .sigma. generated in each of the accumulators 61 to 63 at
the internal pressure P is expressed by using K (=D/d) as:
.sigma.=((K.sup.2+1)/(K.sup.2-1)+1).times.P (Expression 2)
[0082] When the stress amplitude .DELTA..sigma..sub.i is determined
by applying the above pressure change .DELTA.P to P of this
expression 2, the following expression 3 is obtained:
.DELTA..sigma..sub.i=((K.sup.2+1)/(K.sup.2-1)+1).times..DELTA.P
(Expression 3)
[0083] It should be noted that .DELTA..sigma..sub.i may be decided
in consideration with a correction terms adding mean stress.
[0084] Next, the classifying section 10b classifies the stress
amplitude .DELTA..sigma..sub.i into a plurality of groups by the
magnitude of the stress amplitude.
[0085] The judging section 10c calculates the acquirement number
n.sub.i of the stress amplitude in a predetermined period for each
of the groups.
[0086] A range of the number of the groups and the magnitude of the
stress amplitude .DELTA..sigma..sub.i included in each of the
groups is appropriately set by length of the predetermined period,
the magnitude of the pressure change .DELTA.P acting on each of the
accumulators 61 to 63, and the like. For example, as shown in FIG.
5, in a case where the tank is fully filled until the tank C of the
vehicle B is brought from a blank state to a maximum filling amount
of the hydrogen gas in a predetermined period T, large stress
amplitude such as .DELTA..sigma..sub.1 is generated. In a case
where the tank is filled until the tank C is brought for example
from a state where half the hydrogen gas still remains to the
maximum filling amount, small stress amplitude such as
.DELTA..sigma..sub.2 is generated. The judging section 10c
individually calculates the acquirement number n.sub.1 of the
stress amplitude .DELTA..sigma..sub.1 and the acquirement number
n.sub.2 of the stress amplitude .DELTA..sigma..sub.2 in the
predetermined period T.
[0087] The judging section 10c determines, for each of the groups,
numeric values n.sub.i/N.sub.i obtained by dividing the acquirement
number n.sub.i of the stress amplitude .DELTA..sigma..sub.i for
each of the groups by the breaking cycle number N.sub.i
corresponding to the stress amplitude representing the group.
[0088] As the stress amplitude representing the group, for example,
a median value or a mean value of the stress amplitude in each of
the groups is used. However, the representing stress amplitude may
be set by other criteria.
[0089] Further, the judging section 10c determines a fatigue degree
.SIGMA.n.sub.i/N.sub.i by adding the determined numeric values
n.sub.i/N.sub.i up for each of the groups. In a case where a value
of the fatigue degree .SIGMA.n.sub.i/N.sub.i becomes a
predetermined threshold value or more, the judging section 10c
judges that each of the accumulators 61 to 63 comes to the end of
the life. In a case where the threshold value is for example 1, the
judging section judges that each of the accumulators 61 to 63 comes
to the end of the life when the following expression 4 is
established.
n i N i = n 1 N 1 + n 2 N 2 + n 3 N 3 + = 1 ( Expression 4 )
##EQU00001##
[0090] When the life of a constant stress amplitude test regarding
the stress .sigma..sub.i is N.sub.i, a value indicating fatigue
damage by .sigma..sub.i when .sigma..sub.i emerges by n.sub.i
cycles in changing stress is given by n.sub.i/N.sub.i as a cycle
ratio. Fatigue damage regarding each stress level is independent
for each stress level, and as being added linearly, is expressed by
the fatigue degree .SIGMA.n.sub.i/N.sub.i which is the sum of the
values n.sub.i/N.sub.i. Therefore, the fatigue damage can be
expressed as the expression 4. It is thought that when this fatigue
degree .SIGMA.n.sub.i/N.sub.i becomes the predetermined threshold
value such as 1, that is, when .SIGMA.n.sub.i/N.sub.i=1, the
accumulator is broken.
[0091] It should be noted that although the threshold value is
theoretically 1, the threshold value may be appropriately changed
in accordance with measurement conditions. For example, the
threshold value may be set to a value less than 1 or the like.
[0092] Next, a method of filling the vehicle B with the hydrogen
gas by using the above hydrogen station 1 will be described.
[0093] At the time of filling the tank C of the vehicle B shown in
FIG. 1 with the hydrogen gas, after the hydrogen gas preliminarily
sent from a gas supply source (not shown) via the gas lead-in
passage 13 is compressed by the compressor unit 5, the hydrogen gas
is delivered to the accumulator unit 6 by opening the first valve
members 81 in a state where the second valve members 82 of the
valve unit 8 are closed, and the hydrogen gas whose pressure is
adjusted in accordance with the pressure region is stored in each
of the accumulators 61 to 63. Specifically, the hydrogen gas is
stored at the pressure of 50 MPa in the low pressure side
accumulator 61 (pressure range from 0 to 50 MPa), the hydrogen gas
is stored at the pressure of 60 MPa in the middle pressure side
accumulator 63 (pressure range from 50 to 60 MPa), and the hydrogen
gas is stored at the pressure of 70 MPa in the high pressure side
accumulator 62 (pressure range from 60 to 70 MPa).
[0094] When the vehicle B is carried into the hydrogen station 1,
by opening the second valve members 82 in a state where the first
valve members 81 of the valve unit 8 are closed, the hydrogen gas
is supplied from the accumulator unit 6 to the dispenser 3, and the
dispenser 3 fills the tank C of the vehicle B with the hydrogen gas
in accordance with the predetermined filling protocol.
[0095] At this time, in the accumulator unit 6, the hydrogen gas is
firstly supplied from the low pressure side accumulator 61
(pressure range from 0 to 50 MPa) to the dispenser 3. The dispenser
3 indirectly measures the pressure in the tank C of the vehicle B.
When the dispenser judges that a pressure difference between the
tank C and the low pressure side accumulator 61 becomes a
predetermined value or less, the dispenser sends an instruction to
stop supply of the hydrogen gas from the low pressure side
accumulator 61 to the gas supply system 2.
[0096] Successively, the gas supply system 2 releases the middle
pressure side accumulator 63 (pressure range from 50 to 60 MPa),
and the hydrogen gas is supplied to the dispenser 3. Thereby, a
pressure difference between the dispenser 3 (or the middle pressure
side accumulator 63) and the tank C of the vehicle B is restored,
and a flow rate of the hydrogen gas for filling the tank C is
ensured. When the pressure of the tank C of the vehicle B is
increased and the dispenser 3 judges that the pressure difference
between the middle pressure side accumulator 63 and the tank C
becomes the predetermined value or less, the gas supply system 2
stops supply of the hydrogen gas from the middle pressure side
accumulator 63 and further releases the high pressure side
accumulator 62 (pressure range from 60 to 70 MPa), so that the
hydrogen gas is supplied. Thereby, the pressure difference between
the dispenser 3 and the tank C is ensured, and the tank is filled
with a sufficient amount of the hydrogen gas. When it is judged
that the pressure of the tank C becomes a set value, supply of the
hydrogen gas from the gas supply system 2 is stopped.
[0097] As described above, in the gas supply system 2, by switching
the low pressure side accumulator 61 (pressure range from 0 to 50
MPa), the middle pressure side accumulator 63 (pressure range from
50 to 60 MPa), and the high pressure side accumulator 62 (pressure
range from 60 to 70 MPa) in accordance with the three pressure
regions of the tank C of the vehicle B, the dispenser 3 can
efficiently fill the tank C with the hydrogen gas in accordance
with the filling protocol.
[0098] Next, a method of judging the life of each of the
accumulators 61 to 63 will be described with reference to a
flowchart of FIG. 6.
[0099] Firstly, the acquiring section 10a of the control section 10
determines the stress amplitude .DELTA..sigma..sub.i in each of the
accumulators 61 to 63 in accordance with (Expression 3) based on
the pressure change .DELTA.P as described above (Step S1).
[0100] Next, the classifying section 10b classifies the stress
amplitude .DELTA..sigma..sub.i into the plurality of groups by the
magnitude of the stress amplitude (Step S2).
[0101] The judging section 10c counts up the acquirement number
n.sub.i of the stress amplitude for each of the groups in the
predetermined period as described above (Step S3).
[0102] Next, the judging section 10c determines, for each of the
groups, the numeric values n.sub.i/N.sub.i obtained by dividing the
acquirement number n.sub.i of the stress amplitude
.DELTA..sigma..sub.i for each of the groups by the breaking cycle
number N.sub.i corresponding to the stress amplitude representing
the group as described above (Step S4).
[0103] Next, the judging section 10c determines the fatigue degree
.SIGMA.n.sub.i/N.sub.i by adding the numeric values n.sub.i/N.sub.i
up as described above (Step S5).
[0104] After that, the judging section 10c judges whether or not
the value of .SIGMA.n.sub.i/N.sub.i becomes a predetermined
threshold value A or more as described above (Step S6). The judging
section judges that the corresponding one of the accumulators 61 to
63 comes to the end of the life in a case where the value of
.SIGMA.n.sub.i/N.sub.i becomes the predetermined threshold value A
or more (Step S7), and judges that the accumulator does not yet
come to the end of the life in other cases (Step S8).
[0105] In the above manner, after individually determining the
values n.sub.i/N.sub.i which are evaluation values of the fatigue
life for each magnitude of the stress amplitude of the stress
acting on the accumulators 61 to 63, by adding the values
n.sub.i/N.sub.i up and determining the fatigue degree
.SIGMA.n.sub.i/N.sub.i, the judging section 10c can precisely judge
the life of the accumulators 61 to 63.
(Operations and Effects)
[0106] (1) In the gas supply system 2 and the accumulator fatigue
judgment method of the present embodiment, focusing on the
magnitude of the stress amplitude .DELTA..sigma..sub.i of the
stress acting on each of the accumulators 61 to 63, the acquirement
number n.sub.i of the stress amplitude .DELTA..sigma..sub.i is
determined for each magnitude of the stress amplitude
.DELTA..sigma..sub.i and used for judging the life of each of the
accumulators 61 to 63. That is, the classifying section 10b
classifies the stress amplitude .DELTA..sigma..sub.i of the stress
acting on each of the accumulators 61 to 63 at the time of storing
the hydrogen gas in each of the accumulators 61 to 63 and at the
time of supplying the hydrogen gas to the dispenser 3 into the
plurality of groups by the magnitude of the stress amplitude.
Successively, the judging section 10c determines the fatigue degree
by obtaining the values from the acquirement number of the stress
amplitude .DELTA..sigma..sub.i for each of the groups and the
breaking cycle number corresponding to the stress amplitude
representing the group, and adding the values up for each of the
groups. Specifically, the fatigue degree is determined by adding
the values n.sub.i/N.sub.i up for all the groups, the values being
obtained by dividing the acquirement number n.sub.i of the stress
amplitude .DELTA..sigma..sub.i which is obtained for each of the
groups by the breaking cycle number N.sub.i corresponding to the
representing stress amplitude .DELTA..sigma..sub.i in each of the
groups. The judging section 10c judges the life of each of the
accumulators 61 to 63 based on the fatigue degree
.SIGMA.n.sub.i/N.sub.i. Thereby, while respectively individually
considering the fatigue life due to large stress amplitude of the
stress acting on each of the accumulators 61 to 63 and the fatigue
life due to small stress amplitude, the life of each of the
accumulators 61 to 63 can be more properly managed, so that
replacement frequency of the accumulator can be reduced. As a
result, management cost of the hydrogen station 1 can be
reduced.
[0107] It should be noted that in the present embodiment, the
example in which the accumulator unit includes the three
accumulators 61 to 63 is shown. However, the present invention is
not limited to this. When the accumulator unit has at least one
accumulator, the life of the accumulator can be properly managed,
so that the replacement frequency of the accumulator can be
reduced.
[0108] (2) In a case where the pressure of the tank C is within the
low pressure region, a large amount of the gas is supplied from the
low pressure side accumulator 61 (first accumulator) to the
dispenser 3. Thus, the stress amplitude acting on the low pressure
side accumulator 61 is increased and the fatigue life of the low
pressure side accumulator 61 is easily shortened. Meanwhile, in a
case where the pressure of the tank C is within the high pressure
region, the supply amount of the hydrogen gas from the high
pressure side accumulator 62 (second accumulator) to the dispenser
3 is relatively reduced. Thus, the stress amplitude acting on the
high pressure side accumulator 62 is decreased, and the fatigue
life of high pressure side accumulator 62 is not easily shortened.
Therefore, in the gas supply system 2 of the present embodiment, by
using the steel container having high durability as the low
pressure side accumulator 61 (first accumulator) to be used in the
low pressure region, the life of the low pressure side accumulator
61 can be extended. By using the composite container cheaper than
the steel container as the high pressure side accumulator 62
(second accumulator) to be used in the high pressure region, an
increase in cost of the accumulator unit 6 can be suppressed. By
using the steel container and the composite container together, the
life of the low pressure side accumulator 61 and the high pressure
side accumulator 62 can be leveled, so that the replacement
frequency of the accumulator can be reduced.
[0109] (3) In the gas supply system 2 of the present embodiment,
the accumulator unit 6 further includes the middle pressure side
accumulator 63 (third accumulator) to be used in a case where the
pressure of the tank C is within the middle pressure region serving
as the range of the pressure between the low pressure region and
the high pressure region. Thus, by using the accumulators to be
used in the three different pressure regions, that is, the low
pressure side accumulator 61, the middle pressure side accumulator
63, and the high pressure side accumulator 62, the gas can be
promptly supplied.
[0110] By using the composite container cheaper than the steel
container as the middle pressure side accumulator 63, even with the
accumulator unit 6 including the three accumulators 61 to 63 to be
used in the three different pressure regions, the increase in the
cost of the accumulator unit 6 can be suppressed.
[0111] It should be noted that in the above embodiment, the
accumulator unit 6 including the middle pressure side accumulator
63 is shown. However, the middle pressure side accumulator 63 may
be omitted.
[0112] (4) In the gas supply system 2 of the present embodiment, by
arranging the middle pressure side accumulator 63 and the high
pressure side accumulator 62 which are the composite container
having relatively shorter life than the steel container on the
upper side of the low pressure side accumulator 61 on the side of
the first unit 60, even in a case where there is a need for
replacing the middle pressure side accumulator 63 or the high
pressure side accumulator 62 formed from the composite container,
an operator can easily access these accumulators 62, 63 and perform
a replacement operation.
[0113] (5) In the gas supply system 2 of the present embodiment,
the middle pressure side frame 67 (third frame) surrounding the
middle pressure side accumulator 63 and the high pressure side
frame 66 (second frame) surrounding the high pressure side
accumulator 62 are separably laminated on the upper side of the low
pressure side frame 65 (first frame) surrounding the low pressure
side accumulator 61. Thus, the middle pressure side accumulator 63
and the high pressure side accumulator 62 can be easily removed in
a state where the accumulators are respectively surrounded by the
frames 67, 66. In addition, the middle pressure side accumulator 63
and the high pressure side accumulator 62 can be removed from the
upper side of the low pressure side accumulator 61 by using a crane
or the like. Thus, for example in comparison to a case where the
middle pressure side accumulator 63 and the high pressure side
accumulator 62 are removed by sliding in the horizontal direction,
an operation space can be decreased.
Explanation of Other Embodiments
[0114] (A) In the gas supply system 2 of the above embodiment, the
accumulator unit 6 includes the three accumulators 61 to 63, and
the pressure regions where the accumulators 61 to 63 are used are
preliminarily set. However, the present invention is not limited to
this.
[0115] For example, in a gas supply system having a configuration
that an accumulator unit includes a plurality of accumulators and
any one of the accumulators is used as another embodiment of the
present embodiment, in a case where the pressure of the tank C of
the vehicle B is within the low pressure region, a large amount of
the hydrogen gas is supplied from the accumulator used at the time
to the dispenser 3. Thus, stress amplitude acting on the
accumulator is increased and the accumulator is prone to fatigue.
Therefore, as a modified example of the present invention, for
example, remaining life of the plurality of accumulators may be
determined by utilizing the above method of managing the life of
the accumulator, and the accumulator to be used in the low pressure
region may be decided in accordance with the remaining life.
Specifically, the accumulator unit 6 may include for example a
first accumulator and a second accumulator as the plurality of
accumulators, one of the first accumulator and the second
accumulator may be used in the low pressure region, and the other
may be used in the high pressure region whose pressure is higher
than the low pressure region. In such a modified example, for
example, all the same composite container (or all the same steel
container) may be used as the first accumulator and the second
accumulator.
[0116] In this modified example, the judging section 10c determines
values .SIGMA.n.sub.i/N.sub.i of the first accumulator and values
.SIGMA.n.sub.i/N.sub.i of the second accumulator and further
determines remaining life of the first accumulator and remaining
life of the second accumulator based on the values
.SIGMA.n.sub.i/N.sub.i. One of the first accumulator and the second
accumulator having the longer remaining life is used in a case
where the pressure of the tank C of the vehicle B is within the low
pressure region serving as the range of the predetermined low
pressure. Meanwhile, the accumulator having the shorter remaining
life is used in the high pressure region in a case where the
pressure of the tank C is within the high pressure region serving
as the range of the predetermined high pressure, the high pressure
region being narrower than the low pressure region. With this
configuration, one of the first accumulator and the second
accumulator having the longer remaining life becomes the
accumulator to be used in the low pressure region. Meanwhile, in a
case where the pressure of the tank C is within the high pressure
region, the supply amount of the hydrogen gas from the accumulator
to the dispenser 3 (filling facility) is relatively reduced. Thus,
the stress amplitude acting on the accumulator is decreased, and
the accumulator having the shorter remaining life becomes the
accumulator to be used in the high pressure region. As a result,
the life of the accumulators can be leveled. A time duration
required for next replacement of the accumulator can be extended,
so that the management cost of the hydrogen station 1 can be more
reduced.
[0117] (B) It should be noted that the plurality of accumulators
may be three or more accumulators. In that case, one of the
accumulators having the longest remaining life may also be used in
a case where the pressure of the tank C of the vehicle B is within
the low pressure region.
[0118] In the gas supply system 2 of the above embodiment, the
accumulator unit 6 has one accumulator for each pressure region to
be used, that is, one for the low pressure side, one for the middle
pressure side, and one for the high pressure side. However, the
present invention is not limited to this. As further another
embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 7, a
plurality of accumulators may be provided in any of the pressure
regions (for example, two low pressure side accumulators 61 may be
provided in the low pressure region), and the different accumulator
to be used may be used in accordance with temperatures of the
accumulators.
[0119] In this example of FIG. 7, temperature detection sections 15
are attached to places suitable for detecting the temperatures on
outer peripheral surfaces or the like of the accumulators 61.
Between the first valve member 81 and the second valve member 82
and the two low pressure side accumulators 61, a switching section
16 that switches a flow passage of the hydrogen gas to any of the
two low pressure side accumulators 61 is provided. The switching
section 16 is controlled by the control section 10 to switch.
[0120] The control section 10 controls the switching section 16 to
switch the accumulator 61 to be used based on the temperatures of
the plurality of accumulators 61 in such a manner that the
accumulator 61 having the lower temperature among the plurality of
accumulators 61 is used. Specifically, the temperature detection
sections 15 detect the temperatures of the low pressure side
accumulators 61, and the control section 10 controls the switching
section 16 to switch the flow passage of the hydrogen gas to the
accumulator having the lower temperature among the two low pressure
side accumulators 61. Thereby, the accumulator having the lower
temperature among the two low pressure side accumulators 61 is
selected and used. Thus, an increase in a temperature of the gas
supplied from the accumulator unit 6 to the dispenser 3 is
suppressed. Therefore, a hydrogen gas cooling load in the pre-cool
system 11 can be reduced. In addition, heat of the low pressure
side accumulator 61 whose temperature is increased is emitted to
the external air while the accumulator is not used, so that the
accumulator is naturally cooled. In particular, the low pressure
side accumulator is efficiently cooled by using the heat sink 14 of
FIG. 3.
[0121] It should be noted that in a case of this modified example,
at least two low pressure side accumulators 61 are required and
three or more low pressure side accumulators may be provided.
[0122] (C) As further another embodiment of the present invention,
as shown in FIG. 8, the gas supply system 2 may be able to directly
supply the hydrogen gas from the compressor unit 5 to the dispenser
3 via a flow passage 73. In this gas supply system 2 shown in FIG.
8, the accumulator 61 communicates with an intermediate part of the
flow passage 73 running from the compressor unit 5 to the dispenser
3 via a branching passage 74. Closing valves 17, 18 are provided on
the upstream side and the downstream side of the branching passage
74 in the flow passage 73. A closing valve 83 is also provided in
an intermediate part of the branching passage 74.
[0123] In this gas supply system 2 shown in FIG. 8, when supply of
the hydrogen gas from the compressor unit 5 to the dispenser 3 is
insufficient, the hydrogen gas is supplemented from the accumulator
61. When the hydrogen gas is sufficient, the hydrogen gas is stored
in the accumulator 61. When the hydrogen gas is sufficiently stored
inside the accumulator 61, the closing valve 83 is closed. Even
with this system, by using the life judgment method, the life of
the accumulator can be properly managed.
[0124] (D) In the gas supply system 2 of the above embodiment, the
accumulator unit 6 has a laminating structure of three layers in
which the low pressure side accumulator 61, the middle pressure
side accumulator 63, and the high pressure side accumulator 62 are
laminated in order from the bottom as shown in FIG. 2. However, the
present invention is not limited to this. As further another
embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 9, the middle
pressure side accumulator 63 and the high pressure side accumulator
62 respectively formed from the composite container may be arranged
side by side on the upper side of the low pressure side accumulator
61 formed from the steel container. In this case, the middle
pressure side frame 67 surrounding the middle pressure side
accumulator 63 and the high pressure side frame 66 surrounding the
high pressure side accumulator 62 may also separably be coupled to
the low pressure side frame 67 surrounding the low pressure side
accumulator 61 by bolts or the like. Further, the middle pressure
side frame 67 and the high pressure side frame 66 may be separably
coupled to each other. Thereby, the middle pressure side
accumulator 63 and the high pressure side accumulator 62 are highly
easily replaced.
[0125] (E) The gas supply system 2 of the above embodiment includes
one accumulator unit 6. However, as further another embodiment of
the present invention, as shown in FIG. 10, another accumulator
unit 6B may be connected to an accumulator unit 6A.
[0126] Each of the accumulator units 6A, 6B includes the low
pressure side accumulator 61, the middle pressure side accumulator
63, and the high pressure side accumulator 62 as well as the above
embodiment. The accumulators 61 to 63 of the accumulator unit 6B
are respectively connected to parts between the accumulators 61 to
63 of the accumulator unit 6A and the second valve members 82 in
the lead-out flow passage 72. It should be noted that in FIG. 10,
the lead-in flow passage 71 and the first valve members 81 of FIG.
1 are omitted for simplification. However, the accumulators 61 to
63 of the accumulator unit 6B are respectively connected to parts
between the accumulators 61 to 63 of the accumulator unit 6A and
the first valve members 81 in the lead-in flow passage 71. By
preparing the plurality of accumulator units 6A, 6B, in comparison
to a case where one large-sized accumulator unit is prepared, an
amount of the hydrogen gas to be stored in accordance with a demand
amount of the hydrogen gas can be easily adjusted.
[0127] The embodiments of the present invention are described
above. However, the present invention is not limited to the above
embodiments but various changes can be made.
[0128] For example, in the above embodiments, as one example of the
fatigue degree, the fatigue degree .SIGMA.n.sub.i/N.sub.i
determined by adding the values n.sub.i/N.sub.i up for all the
groups, the values being obtained by dividing the acquirement
number n.sub.i of the stress amplitude .DELTA..sigma..sub.i which
is obtained for each of the groups by the breaking cycle number
N.sub.i corresponding to the representing stress amplitude
.DELTA..sigma..sub.i in each of the groups is described as an
example. However, the present invention is not limited to this. In
the present invention, the fatigue degree is only required to be
obtained by obtaining the values from the acquirement number
n.sub.i of the stress amplitude .DELTA..sigma..sub.i for each of
the groups and the breaking cycle number N.sub.i corresponding to
the stress amplitude representing the group, and adding the values
up for each of the groups. The fatigue degree may be obtained by
other computational expressions. For example, as further another
embodiment of the present invention, a predetermined coefficient
k.sub.i may be set for each of the groups for the purpose of
weighing or the like, and the fatigue degree may be
.SIGMA.(n.sub.i/N.sub.i).times.k.sub.i.
[0129] In the above embodiments, as one example of the gas delivery
section that delivers the gas to the accumulator unit 6, the
compressor unit 5 is described as an example. However, the present
invention is not limited to this. As long as the gas can be
delivered, various devices can be used as the gas delivery section.
For example, a water electrolysis device that generates a hydrogen
gas by electrolysis of water can also be used as the gas delivery
section. Further, a device that generates a hydrogen gas from
liquid hydrogen can also be used as the gas delivery section.
* * * * *